Closing wheel

Abstract

A closing wheel for a planter is disclosed. The closing wheel includes a hub, a rim coupled to the hub and including a periphery, a first plurality of projections extending radially beyond the periphery, and a second plurality of projections extending radially beyond the periphery. The first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections extend at least partially axially outward relative to the hub, and the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections extend at least partially in different directions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closing wheel coupled to a trailing arm assembly of a planter, the closing wheel comprising:
 a hub;   a rim coupled to the hub and including a periphery;   a first plurality of projections extending radially beyond the periphery; and   a second plurality of projections extending radially beyond the periphery;   wherein:
 the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections extend at least partially axially outward relative to the hub; and 
 the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections extend at least partially in different directions. 
   
     
     
         2 . The closing wheel of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first plurality of projections are axially spaced from the second plurality of projections.   
     
     
         3 . The closing wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections extend at least in one direction that is at a non-orthogonal angle relative to a major plane of the hub, the major plane of the hub being orthogonal to an axis of rotation. 
     
     
         4 . The closing wheel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first plurality of projections or the second plurality of projections are spaced annularly about the rim. 
     
     
         5 . The closing wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are symmetrical about a major plane defined by the rim. 
     
     
         6 . The closing wheel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rim comprises a collar defining the first plurality of projections or the second plurality of projections, and   the collar is separate from and coupled to the rim at or adjacent the periphery.   
     
     
         7 . The closing wheel of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the collar is a first collar coupled to a first side of the rim and defining the first plurality of projections; and   the closing wheel further comprises a second collar defining the second plurality of projections, the second collar coupled to a second side of the rim opposite the first side.   
     
     
         8 . The closing wheel of  claim 7 , wherein
 an axial thickness of the rim defines at least a portion of an axial spacing between the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections,   a seed gap volume is defined in part by the rim, the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections.   
     
     
         9 . The closing wheel of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of projections and the second plurality of projections are integrally formed with the rim. 
     
     
         10 . An agricultural wheel configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, comprising:
 a rim defining a periphery;   first projections extending axially outward from the periphery in a first direction;   second projections extending axially outward from the periphery in a second direction different from the first direction; and   wherein:
 the first projections are circumferentially spaced about the rim, and 
 the second projections are circumferentially spaced about the rim. 
   
     
     
         11 . The agricultural wheel of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the first projections and the second projections extend radially beyond the periphery of the rim.   
     
     
         12 . The agricultural wheel of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a first collar defining the first projections and coupled to the rim;   a second collar defining the second projection and coupled to the rim; and   wherein the first collar and the second collar are separately formed from and connected to the rim.   
     
     
         13 . The agricultural wheel of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the rim rotates in a first direction about the axis of rotation to define an ascending region moving upward and a descending region moving downward relative to the axis of rotation and a field surface,   wherein:
 the first projections or the second projections extend at least partially downward from the periphery at the ascending region towards the field surface, and 
 the first projections or the second projections extend at least partially upward from the periphery at the descending region in a direction away from the field surface. 
   
     
     
         14 . The agricultural wheel of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the rim defines a major plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation; and   the first projections and the second projections rotate substantially in plane parallel to the major plane.   
     
     
         15 . A wheel for an agricultural assembly configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, comprising:
 a rim including a periphery;   first projections extending radially outward from a first side of the rim; and   second projections extending radially outward from a second side of the rim opposite the first side;   wherein
 the first projections and the second projections are spaced apart along the axis of rotation, and 
 a seed gap volume is defined between the projections to permit the passage of a seed between the first projections and the second projections when the first projections and the second projections are engaged with a furrow during use. 
   
     
     
         16 . The wheel of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a scraper assembly including a scraper feature positioned at or adjacent the periphery, the first projections, or the second projections.   
     
     
         17 . The wheel of  claim 16 , wherein an angular position of the scraper feature relative to the closing wheel is adjustable. 
     
     
         18 . The wheel of  claim 16 , wherein the scraper assembly comprises:
 a linkage extending from a connection at or adjacent the axis of rotation to the position,   a mounting feature spaced from the periphery, and   the scraper feature for removing debris from the wheel is coupled to the mounting feature at an adjustable connection.   
     
     
         19 . The wheel of  claim 16 , wherein the scraper feature is movable by an adjustable connection to a position radially towards or away from the periphery, the first projections, or the second projections. 
     
     
         20 . The wheel of  claim 16 , wherein the scraper feature is movable by an adjustable connection in a direction along the axis of rotation and along a width dimension of the wheel.